1840 Texas Artillery Short Sword
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GUEST:
I brought in this, what we believe is a Texas sword. It was given to my husband's father back in the mid-'50s by a man who said that he found it when he was working on the construction of the San Jacinto monument back in the mid-'30s, where the Battle of San Jacinto was fought back in the early 1800s.
APPRAISER:
Right. It is a Texas artillery sword. At the top of the sword, we have the famous lone star from the State of Texas. This sword was actually manufactured in Cabotville, Massachusetts.
GUEST:
I'll be darned.
APPRAISER:
It was made by the Ames Manufacturing Company, the most famous sword maker of the day. They made them under contract for the State of Texas. They have that fierce look, the Roman gladiator sword. It's patterned after the model 1832 short artillery sword. It would have been made prior to the Mexican War. This pattern they actually made up until 1861. There is a version that has an eagle.
GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
Up on the top of the pommel.
GUEST:
We've seen that.
APPRAISER:
That's the standard U.S. sword. They made several thousands.
GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
The one with the star, since it is a state contract rather than a government contract, they only made 40 of these. The handle is actually made of cast brass, and the sword, being iron, they run the blade through the handle, and they peen the blade and the handle together to keep it from coming out. We do have a couple of condition problems, which will hold the sword back. Originally, it would have had a leather and brass scabbard that sheathed the sword when it wasn't in use.
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
That's missing. Also, the blade has been re-sharpened several times. It originally would have been just a little bit wider. And at one time, it would have had the date of manufacture at the base of the blade. It also would have had the Ames Manufacturing mark. So those will hold it back from bringing top dollar.
GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
When I referred to some colleagues, they thought that the sword would bring about $2,000. My opinion was, it's a wonderful piece. We know the battle history. It's a rare piece, compared to the regular quantities that they issued. I think that it would bring closer to $3,000. So that just lets you know that it's all in the eye of the beholder.
GUEST:
Terrific-- thank you.
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